Thinking Like a Writer

I have been preparing for a summer writing project with a local school district. Three of us are collaborating on this project that will emphasize both teacher as writer and teacher as teacher of writing. As a teacher of teachers of writing for many years, the teaching of the pedagogy of writing is very natural. I have participated in a National Writing Project, and have attended many workshops with a focus on the teaching of writing. I have developed my own writers’ workshop for students and have taught teachers in a district and college setting how to teach writing.

The emphasis on teacher as writer has been one that has been helpful for me to explore. I believe that to successfully teach writing, teachers need to know what role writing plays in their own life. They also need to be in writing situations which we ask our students to be so that teachers of writing understand what it means to experience writers’ block or to struggle to get an idea as well as the experience of exhilaration of writing something that expresses the message in that just perfect way.

I consider myself a writer, but in my hectic teaching and home life, I don’t think I always let myself live a writer’s life—one that allows for writing to emerge. That kind of life has time built into it to write and reflect on a regular basis. I allow that space in spurts, but not on a regular basis. Someone once said to me, “You are a writer. You need to write. You need to write, write, write to a whole new you.” To build that writing space you need commitment and time as well as a passion for the written word from within.

Do teachers need to be writers to teach writing? I think they need to experience what it means to be a writer. I think teachers need to know what role writing has in their lives to be able to show students what writing means to them. They need to reflect on the role of writing in their life. And, although unnecessary for the teaching of writing, for the lucky students, they might live that writers’ life and provide from that life inspiration to their students.

In preparation for allowing teachers to explore themselves as writers, I have been reflecting on what it means to me to be a writer—think like a writer, live in the world like a writer. Below is a list of questions I asked myself around who I am as a writer. If you are a teacher of writing, these might be helpful to you.

Before writing or creating, what are some of your favorite rituals?
When I am writing something and I am not quite sure of the direction I am taking the writing, I like to do something physical--walk, rake leaves, clean my house--in the physical activities I often clear my mind so that I can really concentrate on the task at hand. It also helps my thinking to be in a place of creativity and production.

What kind of writer are you and what do you love about writing?
I think most people would say I am a good technical writer--I write for clarity in a very natural way. What I love about writing is the creative aspect--the part that reaches into your spirit and brings out something that you couldn't name before you wrote the words. There is a creation there that is very fulfilling--to me that is what poetry is all about and I love writing poetry.

What inspires you to write?
Things that touch me in a deep way inspire me to write. Other writing, something beautiful in nature, people who do and live with passion and meaning. All of these things inspire me to live and write deeply. The living and the writing are interconnected to me.

What words of support and encouragement can you share with other writers?
Don't write for perfection. Write for expression. The first time you write don't feel like you need a finished product. The finished product comes through the process. Also, keep a stack of books that you find inspirational near you to read on a regular basis. Two of my favorites are Julia Cameron’s, The Right to Write, a small book that has short pieces about writing and living the writer’s life. My other favorite is Mary Oliver's poetry book called Thirst. I love her poetry and it inspires my writing when I need encouragement.

Do you ever dislike and feel frustrated by your writing? If so, what kinds of things help you?
When I am frustrated with my writing, I put it away--for a day, for a month, for an hour--for a period so that I can get perspective. When I come back with fresh eyes, I can usually see what wasn't working and fix it, or come to the task in a completely different way, or throw it away and start a new piece.


What questions are important to you as a writer? I am interested in other’s thinking about what it means to be a teacher of writing who sees themselves as a writer. If this is something you have explored, I would love to hear your thoughts.